Lauren Hackett, St. Anthony’s ‘D’ leads Friars to CHSAA AA title
The St. Anthony's girls basketball team poses with the championship plaque after winning the CHSAA Class AA final on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at LIU Post. Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Lauren Hackett and her St. Anthony’s girls basketball teammates couldn’t forget what took place on Feb. 13, and it not only helped fuel their win over St. Mary’s in the CHSAA Class AA final on Saturday, but it also contributed to Hackett holding up the MVP trophy after a 60-34 victory.
“Honestly, it’s not always offense that wins games,” said Hackett, a senior who scored just three points but helped limit Kadaja Bailey to nine after her 49-point outburst against St. Anthony’s less than a month ago. “I know that I might not have put as many points on the board as my teammates, but defense is what wins games, and holding their best player to nine points is what helped us win this game the most.”
St. Anthony’s coach Hughie Flaherty said he challenged Hackett to embrace the matchup against Bailey, who was St. Mary’s (15-7) leading scorer and was named CHSAA Class AA Player of the Year following the game.
“Lauren guarded her most of the game,” Flaherty said. “Ashia switched onto her a couple of times, but Lauren stayed with her constantly and was told to never leave the star. The star always plays the star, and that’s how it works . . . She’s a great player.”
As far as the Friars’ offense was concerned, Sydney Taylor led the charge for the St. Anthony’s, finishing with 22 points. Ashia Smith tacked on another 14.
“I’m speechless,” Smith said of winning the final. “I’m just so happy and grateful for my team. We just all did it together.”
“Last time we lost to them and we really took it personally,” Hackett said.
The Friars (20-2) advance to the state CHSAA Class AA semifinals on March 9.
After entering the half with a 21-20 lead, St. Anthony’s began taking control of the game between the late stages of the third quarter and the early portion of the fourth. A free throw by Taylor with 24.4 seconds left in the third and transition layup by Smith on the ensuing possession gave the Friars a 38-29 advantage entering the final eight minutes. St. Anthony’s followed up with an 8-0 run to begin the fourth, building the lead to 17 with just over six minutes to go.
“We knew they wanted a close game and we just kept pushing the ball,” Taylor said.
OLMA wins Class A
Trailing by seven entering the fourth quarter of the CHSAA Class A final, Our Lady of Mercy (15-12) completed a 38-33 comeback over St. John the Baptist (13-13) behind Lauren Hammersley, who scored nine of her 19 points in the final period and was named CHSAA Class A Player of the Year.
Micela Genua, who added five points, converted the go-ahead layup with 1:20 remaining to give the Mustangs a 33-31 lead en route to being named the game’s MVP.
